University Secretary

Born in 1964 in Arjona (Jaen), Spain, Dr.Pedro Mercado Pacheco has been a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Law at the UGR Faculty of Law since 1995. He is also a Lecturer on the UGR Master's Degree in Culture of Peace, Conflicts, Education and Human Rights. In 1994, he received an Extraordinary Doctorate Award.

He has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Edinburgh (UK), the University of Catania (Italy), the University of Guanajuato (Mexico), the University of Camagüey (Cuba) and at the Centre for Legal Studies in Puebla (Mexico).

In the area of research, he is the author of several influential books, chapters and articles on the topics of law and economics, and on globalisation, the state and law. His most recent lines of research are focused on the areas of “Governance, democracy and law” and “New forms of slavery and human rights”. He has taken research placements at the University of Edinburgh, the University of Rome and the University of Catania, and has participated in eight national research projects, as well as in multiple Projects of Excellence at a regional level. Moreover, he is currently the Principal Investigator (PI) of the R&D National Plan project “New forms of slavery and human rights”. From 2008 to 2014, he was editor of the Anales de la Cátedra Francisco Suárez journal and an editorial board member for a number of prestigious scientific journals. Additionally, he is a member of the UGR Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, as well as the Iberoamerican Research Network on Modern-day Slavery and Human Rights.

In terms of management expertise, he has held several influential positions, including Academic Secretary of the Department of Philosophy of Law (1996-2000), Director for Regulatory Development (2004-2007), and Deputy University Secretary (2007). He is currently Secretary of the UGR Committee for Academic Progress Regulations. He acted as a consultant during the development of the new UGR Statutes in 2003 and their partial reform in 2009. He has also been a member of the University Senate at different stages (2004-2008 and from 2012 until present).

Roles & responsibilities

The University Secretary is responsible for the following areas:

Drafting and safeguarding the minutes of meetings held by UGR governing and representational bodies, swearing staff into office and issuing the corresponding certifications.

Managing the University General Register Office, safeguarding the UGR Archive and Seal and issuing the appropriate certifications.

Ensuring the transparent advertising and promotion of agreements, resolutions, regulations and other operating procedures, especially among members of the university community.

Performing any other duties delegated by the Rector or stipulated within the existing Statutes or other regulations.